News, Notices & Prayer points - 3rd December 2024

Posted Dec 3, 2024 in News

News & Notices – 3rd December 2024

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 edition of UC e-News

Prayer Points

We pray:

For more people to be inspired to volunteer and contribute to their communities
For greater awareness of modern slavery in communities worldwide, so that hearts and minds are moved to action
For communities to foster understanding, compassion, and acceptance toward those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Synod Offices Closed on 5^th December 2024

The Synod Office and UC Invest (212 Pirie St) plus UCLT, and other Synod functions located at Yarthu Apinthi (Brooklyn Park) will be closed on Thursday 5^th December for the Synod staff Christmas party.

We thank you for your understanding as we take time to celebrate the year and thank staff for their commitment to the mission of the church in 2024.

------------------------------------------

Christmas 2024 Resources for Congregations

As you prepare your Christmas worship services a selection of social media graphics, posters, PowerPoint template and postcard designs are now available on the Synod website, ready for download. The Moderator’s Christmas theme for 2024 is ‘Through their Eyes.’ Additional resources will be added from time to time, so please check the site on a regular basis. More information is available at: UCA SA - Christmas 2024

------------------------------------------

Christmas Worship Services 2024

Please send through your Christmas Worship times and services so they can be featured on the Synod website at this link: UCA SA - Christmas Services 2024. To provide your Christmas Worship times to the 2024 list please email: Turn on Javascript!. For all other Christmas events, please list them in the usual way via the Events submission form available at this link: UCA SA - Submit an event.

------------------------------------------

Safe Church training 2025: Upcoming dates for your diary.

Coromandel Uniting is hosting a full day Through their Eyes training on Saturday, 8^th February. Registrations are open now for bookings and payment via the Safe Church website.

March 29^th – Unity Hill UC is the venue for two half day sessions. Through their Eyes Refresher and Called to Care. Bookings will be available for each course in the new year.

------------------------------------------

Grant Opportunities

Mark Butler MP Grants Information

A range of grants information is available via the Grants Hub at markbutler.net.au/community/grants.

Strengthening Rural Communities — Small & Vital (Round 23)

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for grassroots, community-led projects that benefit remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia. Projects must align with charitable outcomes like fostering resilience, improving community wellbeing, supporting diversity, and enhancing community spaces. Preference is given to smaller communities (populations under 15,000).

Closing Date: 5th December 2024
Eligibility: Non-profit organisations

More information is available at this link: https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/src-small-vital/.

2025-27 Stronger Together Grants - Funding now available.

Applications for the Stonger Together grants, offered by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s Multicultural Affairs, are now open. These grants support multicultural organisations in delivering initiatives that promote healthy family relationships, mental health, and community cohesion. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $200,000 for projects running from July 2025 to June 2027. Applications close on 2 March 2025. For more details and to apply, visit www.multicultural.sa.gov.au or contact the Multicultural Grants Team at 1300 239 468 or Turn on Javascript!.

------------------------------------------

Aunty Denise's books available

Copies of Aunty Denise's books, are available by contacting Ian Dempster on Turn on Javascript! or dropping into the UAICC SA office when he is working there. Also, available by contacting Rosemary Dewerse: Turn on Javascript!.’

Copies of Yarta Wandatha are available @ $35 each and a new print run of Anaditj is due mid-November (books for sale @ $30 each).

Rosemary Dewerse has also edited ‘Location Shaped Theologies: First Peoples and Second-Generation Wisdom,’ of which Aunty Denise has a contributing chapter. For more information contact: Turn on Javascript!

------------------------------------------

2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary released

The 2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary is now available to download from the Assembly, and available to order from Wayzgoose, the new online store for MediaCom and Uniting Church resources.

The new-look lectionary features a number of changes - a new poster format, additional liturgical colour coding, new listings for Uniting Church special days and an online list of worship and preaching resources. More information is available at this link: 2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary – Uniting Church Australia.

------------------------------------------

CMLA From Advent to Emmaus – Drams from the Gospel of Luke

The CMLA is pleased to announce the publication of From Advent to Emmaus – a book of 54 dramas for worship based on Luke’s Gospel. Step back in time to the first century as Luke and his scribe put the Gospel stories into print. This collection of drama scripts features Dr Luke narrating Bible passages to his friend Nathanael while the two have a dialogue about the story behind the passage. The conversations are insightful, thought-provoking and witty. Author Jim Hayward has been a Lay Preacher for many years and has road-tested these scripts with rural and regional congregations. Available in Print and Digital PDF versions. Ideal for Lectionary Year C. For more information visit the CMLA website.

------------------------------------------

Hakuna Matata Children's Choir Coming to Adelaide South Australia, 2025

The Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir from Kenya, a group of 15 talented children, is touring Australia in April 2025. They share inspiring songs, dances, and stories, spreading God’s love and raising funds to build a dormitory for over 300 orphans in Kenya. Available dates include:

Sundays: April 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, 27^th
Wednesdays: April 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th
Fridays & Saturdays: Various dates

Hosting involves accommodation and a space for daytime activities. Performances are flexible, and a love offering will support their mission. More information is available at: https://connectwithachild.org/

------------------------------------------

Social Justice Advent Resource 2024

This Uniting Church resource is for congregations and faith communities seeking to include social justice content in their Advent services and activities. Including biblical reflections and prayers, it covers a variety of social justice issues that are connected to Advent or Christmas, offering something to different congregations depending on their interests. More information is available at Social Justice Advent Resource 2024.pdf

------------------------------------------

Breakfast at the Next Level

Start your day with inspiration at Breakfast at the Next Level, featuring the inspirational Rev. Tim Costello as a guest speaker. Join us on Wednesday, 4^th December 2024, from 6:30 am to 9:00 am at the Adelaide Pavilion, Veale Gardens, for a morning of motivation and encouragement. Rev. Costello will share profound insights on leadership, community impact, and personal growth, helping you to reach new heights in your journey.

------------------------------------------

Carols in the Amphitheatre

On 15th December, the fabulous Cantabile Singers will lead a special evening of carols at Linde Reserve, Stepney. Enjoy the heartwarming story of Jesus' birth, told through the voices of angels, shepherds, animals, and wise ones. Before the carols, there will be a free sausage sizzle, and children are invited to come dressed as angels or shepherds to join in the nativity story. The event begins at 7pm – a wonderful way to celebrate the season with family and friends!

------------------------------------------

Hamper Packing Day

On Wednesday, 27th November, staff from ACHA Health, UnitingCare SA, and Synod packed 250 hamper bags for those in need. Each bag contained essentials like cereal, tea, sugar, and jam, along with Christmas treats. These hampers were distributed to six UnitingCare relief centres in the ACHA Health catchment areas. Generous food donations also came from Annesley Junior School, Uniting College for Leadership and Theology, the Synod office, and CoroUniting Church. A big thank you to all who donated time and goods to support this cause.

------------------------------------------

comment on this article

back to News articles

back to all articles

subscribe to receive New Times articles by email